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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Madagascar Fauna Group Receives PAAZAB Conservation Award

The African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB) formally awarded the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG) with its 2008 Conservation Award at this year’s World Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (WAZA) closing ceremony. David Morgan, PAAZAB Executive Director, presented the award to Dr. Eric Miller, MFG Chair, saying that PAAZAB’s recognition of the MFG’s 20-year history of mentoring and supporting an African zoo was long overdue.

The MFG is a consortium of international zoos and one botanical garden that combine annual dues to support the education, conservation, research and capacity building mission of Parc Ivoloina a 300 hectare former forestry station that includes the nation’s second zoo. Together with MFG’s experienced conservation professionals, the dedicated Malagasy staff has assimilated the member zoos’ expertise to evolve into what all modern zoos aspire to be – their community’s centralized resource for conservation information and inspiration. Through education programs that help rural primary school children stay in school, workshops that introduce and train villagers to use alternative techniques from the traditional but environmentally destructive practice of slash and burn farming and by assisting Malagasy universities train future wildlife and natural resource managers, the MFG has developed an inter-disciplinary program that contributes to meeting the region’s conservation challenges. Like other progressive zoo-based organizations, the MFG also works outside Parc Ivoloina’s immediate borders to conserve precious habitat for endangered plants and animals. The MFG has served as the Madagascar National Parks’ conservation research partner in Betampona Natural Reserve since 1990. One of Madagascar’s few remaining lowland rain forests, Betampona is home to 11 lemur species including endangered indri, diadema sifaka and black and white ruffed lemurs. MFG researchers have discovered Betampona’s amphibian diversity is significantly great than previously believed; more than 110 frogs have been identified to date.

In accepting the award, Dr. Miller said "the MFG is only as good as its member institutions which is why we are exceptionally pleased to be presented the award at WAZA’s annual meeting. This honor symbolizes and acknowledges that by collaborating and coordinating their efforts, the world’s zoos can indeed marshal their visitors’ capacity and together become the world’s greatest force for conservation action".

About Me

I have worked in the zoo world for over 48 years in the capacity of keeper, head keeper and curator. For information related to a zoos, zoo careers and more please see:
http://hubpages.com/_BL29/hub/The-Zoo-Hubs
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